Best Reloading bench on a budget?

No matter what kind of bench, you should think about anchoring it somehow to the wall and floor. Reloading large rifle cases (resizing) always causes me grief when the bench moves around. A simple shelf anchored to the wall on hinges works if you have the right support under it. My computer desk is about the same top thickness as 1/2 particleboard - actually it is made of 1/2 particleboard and is strong enough for .308 and 45-70 resizing. Doubling up the shelf planks will do wonders for flex and stability control.
 
Not sure if you bought the press yet, could consider a hand press. That's all I've got. It's a good forearm workout as well. I've only been using it for a few months so maybe I'll regret it later but it's ok for now.
 
Rickster66 said:
No matter what kind of bench, you should think about anchoring it somehow to the wall and floor. Reloading large rifle cases (resizing) always causes me grief when the bench moves around. A simple shelf anchored to the wall on hinges works if you have the right support under it. My computer desk is about the same top thickness as 1/2 particleboard - actually it is made of 1/2 particleboard and is strong enough for .308 and 45-70 resizing. Doubling up the shelf planks will do wonders for flex and stability control.
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Good idea.
If space is a premium a guy could buy some heavy duty folding brackets (Lee Valley sells some that are rated to 440lbs a pair) and then mount a top made from laminated 2X lumber or a few layers of screwed and glued plywood. A flat panel solid core door would work as a top as well.
It would need to be mounted well to studs and a backing sheet of 3/4" ply would be smart. Stick it in a closet if your place is really small.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=40037&cat=3,50659&ap=1
 
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Rickster66 said:
No matter what kind of bench, you should think about anchoring it somehow to the wall and floor. Reloading large rifle cases (resizing) always causes me grief when the bench moves around. A simple shelf anchored to the wall on hinges works if you have the right support under it. My computer desk is about the same top thickness as 1/2 particleboard - actually it is made of 1/2 particleboard and is strong enough for .308 and 45-70 resizing. Doubling up the shelf planks will do wonders for flex and stability control.
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Mine is a shelf made in our shop.
3/4 " plywood , anchored down with ammo and a car battery .

Might add a bit of steel one day as it flexes a little forming brass from other brass lol
 
I used our dining room table. What I did was I went to Home Depot and bought a 4' board of 3/4"x8" solid oak. I cut the board in half and screwed the 2 halves together so it was essentially 1 1/2"x8"x24". Then I counter sunk my bolts then used black craft foam from Michaels and glued it to the bottom so it wouldn't scratch the surface of the table. I then used large c clamps to hold it in when I was using it. Worked so well in fact I kept the design when I did my new board for my Rock Chucker Supreme 2 nights ago. I didn't put the foam this time because now I have an older desk that can afford to be scratched lol



 
if you need to stow it away when unused: folding table http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/jobmate-folding-work-table-0570029p.html#.VYoXXkZp_Vh

if you have about 75x75cm for your pleasure: birch table http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/10059165/
 
NorthernPF said:
I used our dining room table. What I did was I went to Home Depot and bought a 4' board of 3/4"x8" solid oak. I cut the board in half and screwed the 2 halves together so it was essentially 1 1/2"x8"x24". Then I counter sunk my bolts then used black craft foam from Michaels and glued it to the bottom so it wouldn't scratch the surface of the table. I then used large c clamps to hold it in when I was using it. Worked so well in fact I kept the design when I did my new board for my Rock Chucker Supreme 2 nights ago. I didn't put the foam this time because now I have an older desk that can afford to be scratched lol
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That's a really good idea for an apartment. The dining room table would obviously also work for extra room while loading vs the cramped space on some of the stand alone setups people have. I think this is a winner because very few tools are needed to built it and it's ultra portable. If the op has a drill then he is set.
 
feetfats said:
That's a really good idea for an apartment. The dining room table would obviously also work for extra room while loading vs the cramped space on some of the stand alone setups people have. I think this is a winner because very few tools are needed to built it and it's ultra portable. If the op has a drill then he is set.
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That's why I initially built it. Living in an apartment I was tight on space so I needed something I could just un-clamp and store in the closet.
 
I was going to say $100 or less at Home Depot before I read the apartment thing. If you want to spend some buck Lee makes a great set-up, and I think it folds down. 4 FT. of 2x10 and some place you can clamp it down will get you going.
 
NorthernPF said:
I used our dining room table. What I did was I went to Home Depot and bought a 4' board of 3/4"x8" solid oak. I cut the board in half and screwed the 2 halves together so it was essentially 1 1/2"x8"x24". Then I counter sunk my bolts then used black craft foam from Michaels and glued it to the bottom so it wouldn't scratch the surface of the table. I then used large c clamps to hold it in when I was using it. Worked so well in fact I kept the design when I did my new board for my Rock Chucker Supreme 2 nights ago. I didn't put the foam this time because now I have an older desk that can afford to be scratched lol



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This is what i ended up going with. Clamps nice and sturdy to the table and can be put away in the closet. Thanks for the idea NorthernPF
 
I've seen people use a Black & Decker Work mate, they added a work top with the Lee Bench plate installed so that the press can be removed (if you use a Lee press). The Black & Decker work mate then folds out of the way.
 
I am at the exact same stage as you and live in an apartment as well. I am building one right now. there was a thread with my own design that would fit in a closet. Then after visiting homedepot, to work with the materials in store and not to waste too much,
I decide to go with 2x4 FT plywood table top(as it's the common exsiting size ready on the shelf), then some 2x4s(for frames, legs and shelf beams if you want to put heavy stuff, like 300LBs bullets on the shelf), depending on the height, and how many level of shelves you want to build. you can PM me if you want some details to see if it meets your needs. I can send me my diagrams and calculations.


brodymcg said:
Hi guys,

Just starting to get into reloading and was wondering what is the best thing to use for a bench. Keep in mind i live in an apartment building.

Cheers,

Brody
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h ttp://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/work-bench-kit/A-p8479974e

I used these legs to make a bench. Just buy the legs, some 2x4's and some plywood and good to go. Easy to do a bench for less than 200 bucks with a work surface and a storage bench underneath.
 
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